Jessica Muñoz, then 17, a member of the Everett Alvarez High School FFA, guides her pig 'Millie,' a 243-pound Blue Butt, toward her stall during the Monterey County Fair in September 2009.

Written by

Roberto M. Robledo
rrobledo@thecalifornian.com

Critical state funding for agriculture education that keeps the school farm thriving, welding classes fired up and gives young people a first-hand look at college and career options is in danger of being plowed under, officials said Tuesday.

As the state switches to a new funding formula for public education, money earmarked for ag classes and related programs is on the chopping block.

The thinking behind the new Local Control Funding Formula is that school districts will decide which programs to keep and which to drop. ...